The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia may appear suddenly after an illness, physical trauma, or significant psychological stress. In some people, however, fibromyalgia symptoms appear gradually, and a specific event is not believed to trigger pain and fatigue.
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is pain and tenderness in muscles and joints throughout your body. Fibromyalgia also causes several other symptoms, such as: fatigue. trouble sleeping.
There's no cure for fibromyalgia, but your healthcare provider will help you find a combination of treatments that relieve your symptoms. Even though experts don't know what causes fibromyalgia, it's real — and so are your symptoms. They might come and go or be hard to describe, but how you feel is valid and important.
Fibromyalgia affects as many as 4 million Americans 18 and older. The average age range at which fibromyalgia is diagnosed is 35 to 45 years old, but most people have had symptoms, including chronic pain, that started much earlier in life.
Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, including children. However, most people are diagnosed during middle age and you are more likely to have fibromyalgia as you get older. Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
Anyone can get fibromyalgia, but more women get it than men. It can affect people of any age, even children, but it usually starts in middle age, and the chance of having it increases as you get older. It occurs in people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Results: There were four parent stages of FM identified and labeled: 1) regional FM with classic symptoms; 2) generalized FM with increasing widespread pain and some additional symptoms; 3) FM with advanced and associated conditions, increasing widespread pain, increased sleep disturbances, and chemical sensitivity; ...
Fibromyalgia, or Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome, is a chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder. It is defined as a long-term, body-wide pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.
Tests to check for some of these conditions include urine and blood tests, although you may also have X-rays and other scans. If you're found to have another condition, you could still have fibromyalgia as well.
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based primarily on having pain all over the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain all over the body and tender points that are sensitive to the touch. It is not considered a mental illness, but many people with fibromyalgia also experience depression and/or anxiety.
“Imagine having a horrible sunburn that NEVER goes away or subsides. Now imagine someone slapping that sunburn. That's the pain. No matter what touches you—hair, a garment, a hug—it's all excruciatingly painful due to the hypersensitivity caused by fibromyalgia.”
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues all over the body. Researchers think it may be linked to sleep problems, stress, or immune, endocrine, or biochemical problems. Symptoms may also include lack of energy (fatigue), sleep problems, depression, headaches, and other problems.
By this definition fibromyalgia would be considered a disability. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, some treatments can ease symptoms and support improved quality of life for patients.
If you have fibromyalgia, one of the main symptoms is likely to be widespread pain. This may be felt throughout your body, but could be worse in particular areas, such as your back or neck. The pain is likely to be continuous, although it may be better or more severe at different times.
First-choice treatments for fibromyalgia are exercise and lifestyle changes. Studies prove these are very effective. Medications might help reduce fibromyalgia pain by 30% in some people. They work best in combination with non-medication therapies.
These cognitive difficulties — called fibro fog — are common: Research suggests more than half of people with fibromyalgia show a decline in memory and clear thinking. When you have fibro fog, it can cause you to be in a state of confusion that you don't even know you're in, CreakyJoints member Joan W.
Knowing what this pain feels like can help you determine whether it's time to see a doctor for treatment. The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is pain all over the body. The pain typically lasts for at least three months.
Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a complex condition defined by ongoing widespread body pain that affects various systems of the body. Estimates are that as many as 1 million Australians experience this chronic pain condition.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
muscle stiffness. difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, which can make you feel very tired (fatigue) problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things. headaches.